By bernheim
CLERMONT, Ky (May 27, 2022) – Growing up in Kentucky or most anywhere in the middle to southeastern U.S., watching, catching, and releasing fireflies on warm summer nights is very likely a childhood memory. Children and adults alike are spellbound by their mysterious light flashing and hovering as they seem to rise and float over the ground. The month of June is a peak performance month for many species of fireflies, and Bernheim provides a protective habitat for enjoying this annual light show.
Join Bernheim Naturalists on Fridays in June from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for this opportunity to make new memories with your family while learning more about these mysterious and mesmerizing creatures.
Firefly Fridays are part of Bernheim at Night programming, which provide ample opportunities to marvel at the moon, ponder distant planets, and be awed by the vastness of space.
- Full Strawberry Moon Hike
Experience the mystery of a full moon hike and a lunar eclipse through the early spring landscape on Tuesday, June 15, from 9 to 11 p.m. The hikes include a walk around Lake Nevin Loop, with plenty of stops to observe the night sky, discuss nocturnal happenings, and consider our cosmic connections.
- Creatures of the Night: In Search of the Blue Ghost
On Friday, June 24 from 9 to 11:30 p.m., join us for the last Firefly Friday of the month with In Search of the Blue Ghost, a great opportunity to experience the Blue Ghost Firefly, Phausis reticulata, with its amazing, unusual continuous glowing display. We can’t guarantee that we will find it, but we will have beautiful displays of many species of fireflies and enjoy the hunt!
Register by 4 p.m. the day prior to the program by calling (502) 955-8512 or visiting Bernheim.org. The cost is $12 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. Night hikes are geared for ages eight and up. No pets allowed. Dress for the weather.
Mellow Morning Stroll
If you are a morning person, this quiet, reflective stroll is designed with you in mind. This slow-paced walk on Wednesday, June 1, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., will focus on nature’s small details, hidden connections, and the sensory-rich tapestry of life. Join Bernheim staff and Volunteer Naturalists near Bernheim’s Sensory Garden and start your day attuned to nature’s beauty and abundance.
The cost is $10 for Bernheim members and $12 for non-members. Registration and payment are due by 4 p.m. day prior to the start of the program by calling (502) 955-8512 or visiting Bernheim.org. The program is for ages eight and up, and no pets are allowed.
First Sunday Nature Hike: Tales from the Trees
Meet a Volunteer Naturalist at the Visitor Center on Sunday, June 5, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for an engaging nature hike on the first Sunday of each month. These hikes are aimed primarily at adults, but children six years and up are welcome. Registration is not required for this free event. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Foraging for Deeper Connections
Regardless of cultural background or ancestry, we all come from people rooted to the earth. Many plants growing in our own backyards, neighborhoods, and gardens connect us with history, lore, tradition, travels, and travails. When we take time to recognize our green companions and begin learning their stories, we often discover how much our own stories are intertwined, not only with those plants but with other people and creatures.
Join Wren Smith, Bernheim’s Interpretive Programs Manager on Saturday, June 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. as we forage for these deeper connections. A short neighborhood stroll may never be the same! Register by 4 p.m. the day prior to the program by calling (502) 955-8512 or visiting Bernheim.org. The cost is $15 for Bernheim members and $20 for non-members.
ECO Kids Discovery Days
The E-C-O stands for Every Child Outside, and that’s exactly where kids can be found during ECO Kids Discovery Days. Discovery Days take place the first and third Saturday of each month near Bernheim’s Visitor Center and may include:
Hands-On Discovery Stations from 1 to 4 p.m.
Hike of the Day, led by a Bernheim guide, starts at the Visitor Center at 2 p.m. and runs 45-60 minutes.
Pop-Up Story Circles because everything and everyone has a story. Watch for our storytelling and story-sharing circles.
ECO Kids Discovery Days are weather dependent and may be canceled. Call (502) 955-8512 on the day of the event for weather-related updates. Masks and social distancing are required when interacting with the Volunteer Naturalists. For details on ECO Kids Discovery Days, call (502) 955-8512 or visit Bernheim.org. No registration is necessary.
Trail Discovery Hikes
Explore miles of Bernheim hiking trails with our Volunteer Naturalists on the Trail Discovery Hike: Elm Lick Trail on Sunday, June 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Cull Hollow Loop on Sunday, June 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The time frame for the strenuous Elm Lick Trail 5-mile hike is four hours. The timeframe for the moderate Cull Hollow Loop 1.5-mile hike is three hours. Guides will take a slower pace, allowing participants to discover, discuss, and enjoy the unique features this trail offers. Late spring to early summer wildflowers will be observed during this hike. Waterproof, sturdy treaded shoes or hiking boots are required for these hikes. Tennis shoes should not be worn since the trails can be slippery in spots. Snacks or sack lunch and hiking sticks are recommended.
Make reservations early as space is limited. The cost is $12 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. Register by 4 p.m. the day prior to the program by calling (502) 955-8512 or visiting Bernheim.org.
Educator Workshop: Teaching about Climate Change: Water, Trees, & Wildlife
Join Bernheim, the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE), and Shaker Village at Bernheim’s Education Center and outdoor environs from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14 (rescheduled from May 17) for this half-day workshop, “Teaching about Climate Change: Water, Trees, & Wildlife Educator Workshop.”
Climate change is a complex topic that can be intimidating to teach. However, understanding climate, including the ways it is changing and how that impacts the environment, is crucial to making informed decisions and building resilience. This training is designed to help formal or informal educators teach about climate change in a holistic way and provide their students with engaging educational experiences that will help them understand climate resilience for communities and the environment. Bernheim will use the Project Learning Tree, Project WET, and Project WILD climate modules to help inspire participants and provide the skills to help students develop innovative solutions to address challenges that are arising as a result of climate change.
The cost is $25 for members of the KAEE and $30 for non-members. Registration is required and takes place through KAEE at this link:
Contact katherine@kaee.org with any questions.
Opportunities to Volunteer at Bernheim
Volunteers can give a few hours or several hundred hours, supporting Bernheim and our visitors. Have fun in the great outdoors by participating in a variety of activities. Take the first step in becoming a Bernheim volunteer by attending this general Volunteer Orientation held virtually on Saturday, June 18, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Register at bernheim.volunteerhub.com.
Inside Bernheim: Regenerative Agriculture – Bernheim’s Edible Garden
Learn more about The Edible Garden at Bernheim on Friday, June 24, from 12 to 1 p.m. The Edible Garden – a living classroom designed to help people understand the research mission of Bernheim – was designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone. The paths and several of the beds are wheelchair accessible. The Edible Garden integrates all of Bernheim’s expertise in one location – Horticulture, Natural Areas, Research, Art, Education and Experience. Bernheim strives to be a leader in ecological stewardship, and as an applicant to the Living Building Challenge (LBC), the Edible Garden meets the most rigorous green design standards in the world, following the principles of Regenerative Design.
This session is LA CES approved by the Kentucky Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for one hour of continuing education credit. This is a free program but registration is required by calling (502) 955-8512 or visiting Bernheim.org.
Hike and Write Unplugged
Learn how to make time in nature part of your creative practice and self-care regimen through a free writing workshop with local poet and educator Bobbi Buchanan from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 25.
Participants will meet at the Guerilla Hollow Loop trailhead and will be briefed on simple techniques for communing with nature, then embark on a 45-minute hike along the Guerilla Hollow Loop trail. Minimal talking will take place on the trail since we will be practicing silence and solitude to inspire meditation and creativity. After the hike, participants will immediately gather for reflection, discussion, and guided writing time.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a reusable water bottle, a journal or notebook and something to write with. The workshop leader discourages the use of cellphones or personal electronic devices during the hike, as well as the workshop.
This workshop is ideal for writers, artists, musicians, and other creative types, as well as anyone looking to benefit from the healing and restorative powers of the natural world.
This program is free of charge, but participants must register, as space is limited to 20 participants for safety. Please register by 4 p.m. the day before the program by calling (502) 955-8512 or visiting Bernheim.org.